Greene King Opposes Cornerstone Inns Trade Mark Bid

A social enterprise pub operator has entered a UKIPO opposition proceeding after Greene King challenged its attempt to register the Cornerstone Inns name. Cornerstone Inns CIC, which has traded under the mark since 2012 with a focus on community-owned pubs, reapplied for the mark in January 2026 following the lapse of an earlier registration. Greene King opposed the application, citing its own registered rights in the Cornerstone Pubs brand launched in August 2026 for value-led and carvery pubs. The applicant has filed a defence relying on prior use and honest concurrent use arguments, and the matter is now at the evidence stage. Cornerstone Inns director Damon Horrill noted industry confusion arising from the similar names and said a co-existence proposal was offered but rejected. Greene King confirmed the dispute will proceed through the standard UKIPO process.

Small businesses facing similar oppositions should document all prior use evidence early and consider seeking specialist advice on coexistence strategies.

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**Sources**

- <https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2026/09/08/cornerstone-inns-in-trade-mark-dispute-with-greene-king/> - <https://www.ipo.gov.uk/tm/t-decisionmaking/t-challenge/t-challenge-decision-results/t-challenge-decision-results-gen.htm>